Quick-change scams on the rise in Brandon: police

Brandon Police are warning businesses about an increase in a scam that has cost businesses thousands of dollars.

Businesses in Brandon are being warned about a rise in “quick-change” scams in the city.

The Brandon Police Service (BPS) released security footage of two people they allege are responsible for a handful of the scams in the city.

Insp. Dana McCallum with the BPS said the losses have been in the range of thousands of dollars for some businesses.

She said the scam sees a customer trying to purchase an item with high denomination bills. While the clerk is making change, the customer will start pulling out other bills and asking for different change.

“They may ask to make change in quick succession to distract and confuse the teller,” McCallum said. “The goal is to make the employee lose track of the transaction and accidentally hand over extra money.”

McCallum said if the transaction is becoming overwhelming, it’s best to pause and call over a supervisor. She said employees should always count out change audibly.

Police believe the two suspects in the surveillance video are likely travelling, meaning businesses around Manitoba should be aware.